Sidney Rice circa 2008 vs. Malcolm Kelly circa 2009 (1 Viewer)

[Mr.Underhill]

So many have completely written Malcolm Kelly off.

I understand doing so from an injury perspective if you think he can't ever get healthy. But I don't see it from a talent or opportunity perspective.

I'm not prediciting a top 20 finish for this guy, but I think he makes a nice sleeper.

Is there anything going on here with Kelly other than a concerning injury history that would make me rate him lower going into 2010 than what people had Sidney Rice ranked going into 2009?

Just some food for thought. What had Sidney Rice done his first two seasons that predicted a 1300 yard explosion in 2009?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Kelly is fighting to make a roster spot

 

[FavreCo]

Sidney Rice is good. Malcolm Kelly is always injured and when he's not, if ever, he stinks. He'll probably be cut. He's wasting a roster space.

Oh...and quite obviously, Favre on that 1300 yard season. When Favre retires, Rice's stats will plummet.

 

[Holy Schneikes]

So many have completely written Malcolm Kelly off.I understand doing so from an injury perspective if you think he can't ever get healthy. But I don't see it from a talent or opportunity perspective.I'm not prediciting a top 20 finish for this guy, but I think he makes a nice sleeper.Is there anything going on here with Kelly other than a concerning injury history that would make me rate him lower going into 2010 than what people had Sidney Rice ranked going into 2009?Just some food for thought. What had Sidney Rice done his first two seasons that predicted a 1300 yard explosion in 2009?

Rice had 4 TDs in each of his first two seasons. His primary attributes were on fairly obvious display - good hands, will go up and get the ball etc.Kelly was at one time a "starting" receiver for the Skins and simply failed to make any kind of impact at all - even when he was healthy for a brief time. He had a couple of nice catches, and that was it.I'm not saying it will be impossible for him to rebound under a different regime, but there are very good reasons to have reservations.

 

[VaTerp]

I don't see the comparison.

Yes, like Kelly in his 1st year, Rice missed most of his 2nd season with injury but Rice did more his rookie season than Kelly has done his entire career. Rice is faster, more fluid, a better route runner, and overall athlete.

I follow the Skins closely have gone to several practices and while I wish Kelly the best I just don't see it happening. For one, he cant stay on the field which is a huge problem in the NFL. It doenst matter how good you are if you're not available. Secondly, Rice had much better opportunity last year. His competition was an average and oft injured Berrian, a rookie, and a TE who had never caught more than 42 passes in a season. And Favre came in and contriubted to the perfect storm for him to have a great season. Not to mention that Rice worked his butt off in the off season and attended Fitz' camp.

Kelly meanwhile is hurt again and most reports indicate he has had a decent off season but nothing like Rice's last year. And he has signifcantly more competition. A proven vet in Moss, a guy his same year who has shown more promise and is healthy in Thomas, and not one but two TEs who have demonstrated very good pass catching ability. And that doesnt include all of the other vets on the roster ahead of Kelly on the depth chart now. Further, as much as I like McNabb and hope for the best, I don't see him having the kind of year Favre had last year.

Kelly is less talented than Rice, will have less opportunity, and is in a worse situation. Not to mention HE IS STILL NOT HEALTHY. So, NO. I don't see the comparison. If you are looking for this year's Sidney Rice the answer is not #12 here in DC. Now, if you wanna talk Devin Thomas I might be willing to listen.

 

[Mr.Underhill]

What a difference a year makes. Heading into 2009, Rice was the 3rd ranked WR on his team by many. Berrian was "the" outside guy and Harvin was such a talent that there wouldn't be enough balls to feed Rice as well. People were debating on whether to take Sidney Rice or Chaz Schilens as their WR5. They were also debating on whether or not Rice would ever "get it" and live up to his athletic potential.

Rice spent much of his time his first two seasons injured. He caught 46 balls for 537 yards in his first two years (@ 11 yards per reception) but did get into the endzone 8 times as well. He only caught 48% of his targets in his second year (2008). Kelly has also spent much of his time his first two seasons injured. He's caught 28 balls for 365 yards and no TD's (@ 13 yards per recption). But in 2009, his second year, he caught 61% of his targets. Yes, Kelly didn't exactly grab the reigns when he started last year, but neither did Rice in his second year. Go back and read some 2008 threads on Rice.

I think both Rice and Kelly are similar for a couple of reasons. They both are physically similar, being 6'4" physical WR's. Rice was known at that time for making some tough, contested catches but there was also a consistency issue with his concentration. Kelly's hands were one of his best assets in his scouting reports. His report read very similar to Rice's in that both attack the ball in the air, win jump balls, and catch the contested ball in coverage. Both adjust well to the poorly thrown ball. I'm going from memory, but I don't remember Rice being known as a burner when he was a rookie either - but I'm more fuzzy on that point.

Rice enjoyed an upgrade at QB in 2009, Kelly is enjoying an upgrade at QB this year. Rice was the oft-injured, underachieving, unestablished 3rd year WR predicted to be competing with a veteran starter on the other side (Berrian) and a young athletic playmaker (Harvin) for targets. Kelly fits the same profile and has Moss and Thomas to compete with.

To me, the big thing is Kelly's health. If Kelly can get healthy, like Rice finally did during camp in 2009, I see an opportunity for him.

 

[todisco1]

I like Laurent Robinson as a WR who spent his first few years battling injuries, showed flashes of genuine talent, but many have given up on... IMO he's a bit like Rice in that regard.